Toyota Recalls 690K Tacomas Over Rear Suspension Issues
Own a 2005 through 2011 Toyota Tacoma? It may be under recall due to rear suspension issues.
Toyota informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its plans to recall 690,000 2005-2011 Tacoma 4×4 and Pre-Runner trucks to fix the leaf springs in the rear suspension. The possibility is there for a leaf to fracture “due to stress and corrosion,” then make contact with other components once moved out of place.
Should said component be the fuel tank, a puncture could occur, leading to fuel leaks with the potential for fire to occur if an ignition source is nearby.
Toyota will notify owners by mail, and the fix will be provided free of charge.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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I recall (no pun intended) breaking a leaf on my first truck (A Ranger). my dad had the same thing happen on a 3/4 ton he had. Sh!t happens but unfortunately no one seems to take personal responsibility for any of it any more.
I bet most of the Model T's still in existence haven't had a leaf in the cart suspension break, so this is pretty poor on Toyota's part. Occasional breakage from overload we can all understand, but a recall? Not good. Of course, my first 1974 Audi liked to break coil springs, and an acquaintance had the driver's side front coil fail on his 2010 VW Golf TDI. Which scared the hell out of him, driving on the highway at the time. Lucky it didn't puncture the tire. So VW, as usuao, has its quirks as well.
My buddy's Tacoma (05) is also subject to the frame recall. I have been underneath it a few times (once recently to change the trans fluid in an attempt to remedy the prematurely failing 3rd gear syncro - another big issue that should be subject to a recall) and there is an alarming amount of frame rust. Multiple places behind the front suspension that you can stick fingers through. I was shocked that a 21st Century vehicle could that badly. So, I'm not at all surprised by this recall. He's going to end up with a new truck at this rate.
I own a '12 and I am surprised to see how rusty certain components already are. I also noticed (in the winter) there are parts of the frame and connecting hardware that will hold quite a bit of salt/dirt/road grime. I clean it out but you would be amazed how much stuff is in there. I would say near a small handful of gunk can be removed from two areas on top of the frame over the rear axle. I can totally see rust becoming a problem within ten years if these areas are not cleaned out. But who cleans that stuff out anyways (idiots like me do but we are the minority for sure)? At least they are recalling them.